Method and apparatus for extended arm stabbing of pipe and other tubular goods

ABSTRACT

An extended stabbing assembly permits quick and efficient installation of a stabbing guide on a first threaded connection member from a safe distance away from said threaded connection member, and removal of said stabbing guide following completion of a pipe make-up (connection) operation. A pair of opposing arcuate arm members are attached to a yoke member, which is attached to an elongate extension rod. The opposing arcuate members can be selectively alternated between a first (substantially open or spread apart) position and a second (partially closed or inwardly pointing) position. Tapered pipe guide members extend from the upper surface of the arcuate arm members and yoke member.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

PRIORITY OF U.S. PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION SER. NO. 62/008,171, FILED JUN. 5, 2014, INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IS HEREBY CLAIMED.

STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

NONE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for safe and efficient connection of pipe and other tubular goods on a drilling rig. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for aligning and mating threaded connections during installation of pipe and other tubular goods.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Standard rotary drilling rigs typically comprise a supportive rig floor, a derrick extending vertically above said rig floor, and a top drive unit or traveling block that can be raised and lowered within said derrick. During drilling operations, such rig equipment is often used to insert and, in some cases remove, pipe and other tubular goods from a well situated under such derrick. In such cases, the top drive unit or traveling block can act as a hoisting apparatus for raising, lowering and/or suspending such pipe within a well.

During the pipe installation process, pipe is typically installed in a number of sections of roughly equal length. These pipe sections, often called “joints,” are typically installed one at a time, and screwed together or otherwise joined end-to-end to make a roughly continuous length of pipe. In order to start the process of installing a string of pipe in a well, a first section of pipe is lowered into the wellbore at the rig floor, and suspended in place using a set of “lower slips.” Such lower slips hold the weight of the pipe and suspend said pipe in the well.

In this position, the top of said first section of pipe is located a few feet above the rig floor. A rig crew or a pipe handling machine then grabs a second section of pipe, attaches said section to a top drive unit or traveling block, and lifts said second section of pipe vertically into the derrick. With said second section of pipe positioned above the first section (which is suspended in the well), said second section is lowered in order to “stab” a threaded connection at the bottom of said second section of pipe (according to industry convention, typically a male “pin end” connection) into a threaded connection at the top of said first section of pipe (according to industry convention, typically a female “box end” connection). The upper section is then rotated in order to mate the threaded connections of the two sections together.

Great care must be taken to stab the lower threaded connection of said second section of pipe into the upper threaded connection of said first section of pipe. Said first and second sections must be axially aligned to prevent thread galling, mis-threading or other damage when screwing said threaded connections together. Further, while being lowered, said suspended upper section of pipe should not collide with or violently contact said lower section of pipe, which can cause gashes or abrasions that could negatively impact the integrity of the threaded connection.

In order to avoid such problems, so-called stabbing guides are frequently used to ensure that said pipe sections are properly aligned and carefully mated during the thread connection process. Although specific designs can vary, said stabbing guides typically comprise hinged opposing semi-cylindrical members having an inner funnel-like tapered surface. Said semi-cylindrical members are clamped around the upwardly facing connection of the pipe section suspended in the well. As an upper section of pipe is lowered, a downwardly facing connection of said upper section rides along said tapered surface and is carefully guided into proper alignment with said mating upwardly facing connection.

However, conventional pipe stabbing guides suffer from a number of significant limitations. Because said conventional stabbing guides must be installed directly on the upper end of a lower section of pipe, personnel are generally required to install and hold such stabbing guides in place while an upper section of pipe is being lowered. In this position, such personnel are at risk of objects falling from above and having hands or fingers pinched between the mating pipe sections. Further, because conventional stabbing guides generally do not extend a substantial distance above the upper connection of a section of pipe, personnel are often required to laterally push or pull a section of pipe being lowered in a derrick in order to axially align such pipe with the upper opening of a conventional stabbing guide.

Thus, there is a need for a stabbing guide that can be remotely operated. Said stabbing guide should be capable of being installed on, and removed from, a section of pipe from a safe distance away from said pipe. Further, said stabbing guide should reduce or eliminate the need for personnel to laterally manipulate a hanging pipe section in order to position said pipe in axial alignment with a separate section of pipe to be joined therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises an elongate spacer or extension member having a first and a second end. A handle having a trigger member is disposed at said first end, while a gripping assembly is disposed at said second end. Said gripping assembly generally comprises a base member and at least two arcuate or curved members that are joined to said base member in hinged relationship. Said arcuate members can be selectively shifted from a first (partially closed) position, to a second (open) position, and vice versa.

In a partially closed first position, said at least two arcuate members converge inward toward each other. An optional spring can be provided to bias said at least two arcuate members in said partially closed first position. However, when in said open second position, said at least two arcuate members diverge or spread apart to form an opening between said members.

A plurality of upwardly facing guide members extends from said base member and said arcuate members. In a preferred embodiment, said guide members comprise a plurality of planar plate members disposed in substantially parallel orientation; when said arcuate members are in a partially closed position, said tapered surface cooperate to form a funnel-like tapered structure having a larger diameter at its upper end and a smaller diameter at its lower end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the extended stabbing assembly of the present invention in use on a drilling rig.

FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the extended stabbing assembly of the present invention being used to connect two pipe sections.

FIG. 3 depicts an overhead view of the extended stabbing assembly of the present invention installed on a section of pipe.

FIG. 4 depicts a side perspective view of a guide member of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of the extended stabbing assembly of the present invention with guide members removed and opposing arcuate arm members in a partially closed position.

FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective view of the extended stabbing assembly of the present invention with guide members removed and opposing arcuate arm members in a substantially open position.

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of an extended stabbing assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the extended stabbing assembly 10 of the present invention in use on a drilling rig including rig floor 300. As depicted in FIG. 1, lower pipe section 200 is suspended from said rig floor 300; in this position, the upper portion of said lower pipe section 200 extends above said rig floor. Meanwhile, upper pipe section 100, which is suspended from a rig's top drive unit or other hoisting assembly, is suspended within a rig's derrick in axial alignment with pipe section 200.

During pipe installation operations, it is to be observed that upper pipe section 100 is lowered (using a rig's top drive unit or other hoisting mechanism) and “stabbed into” lower pipe section 200; that is, a threaded connection at the lower end of said pipe section 100 is positioned in mating relationship with a threaded connection on the upper end of suspended pipe section 200. After said upper pipe section 100 is stabbed into lower pipe section 200, torque can be applied to upper pipe section 100 to join mating threaded pipe connections.

FIG. 2 depicts a side sectional view of the extended stabbing assembly of the present invention being used to connect upper pipe section 100 to lower pipe section 200. As depicted in FIG. 2, upper pipe section 100 is lowered (using a rig's top drive unit or other hoisting mechanism) until threaded connection member 101 is “stabbed into” threaded connection 201 of lower pipe section 200. In accordance with convention during oil and gas well operations, connection 101 is a male, pin-end connection, while connection 201 is a female, box-end connection. After said pine end connection 101 is stabbed into lower box end connection 201, torque can be applied to upper pipe section 100 to join said mating threaded pipe connections.

During the pipe connection process depicted in FIG. 2, it is to be observed that pin end connection 101 of hanging pipe section 100 must be properly aligned with box end connection 201 of lower pipe section 200. If said connection members are not properly aligned, thread galling, mis-threading or other damage can occur when torque is applied to upper pipe section 100. Further, care must be taken to prevent upper pipe section 100 from violently contacting or setting down on lower pipe section 200 while upper pipe section 100 is being lowered.

FIG. 3 depicts an overhead view of the extended stabbing assembly of the present invention installed over box end connection 201 of lower section of pipe 200. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of guide members 50 substantially surround the outer circumference of box end connection 201. Said guide members 50 have tapered inner surfaces 54 that cooperate to form a tapered, funnel-like guide into the upper opening of box end connection 201.

Certain of said guide members 50 are disposed on opposing arcuate arm members in a manner described in more detail below, while at least one such guide member 50 is operationally attached to upper yoke member 41. Said opposing arcuate arm members can be shifted between a first (substantially open) position and a second (partially closed) position using linkage members 33 and pivot hinge pins 34.

FIG. 4 depicts a side perspective view of a guide member 50 of the present invention, with a portion of tapered inner surface 54 removed. Said guide member 50 generally comprises base member 51 defining lower contact surface 55. A plurality of substantially planar rib support members 53, oriented substantially parallel to each other, extend upward from said base member 51. Peg member 56 extends downwardly from said base member 51.

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of the extended stabbing assembly 10 of the present invention with guide members removed and opposing arcuate arm members in a partially closed position, while FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective view of the extended stabbing assembly 10 of the present invention with guide members removed and opposing arcuate arm members in a substantially open position.

Referring to FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, extended stabbing assembly 10 comprises elongate tubular extension member 20 having distal end 22, proximate end 21 and a central through bore extended substantially from said proximate end 21 to said distal end 22. Handle member 5 is disposed at, and operationally connected to, proximate end 21 of drive rod 30. Drive rod 30 is slidably disposed within said central bore.

Yoke assembly 40 comprising upper yoke member 41 and lower yoke member 42 are operationally attached to said elongate tubular extension member 20 near distal end 22. Rod 30 is slidably disposed through a bore in hub stop 31, while hub member 32 is disposed at the distal end 31 of drive rod 30. Opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 are pivotally attached to yoke assembly 40; each of said upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 can have a curved or arcuate shape and are disposed in generally opposing relationship.

Hub member 32 at distal end 31 of drive rod 30 is pivotally attached to opposing sets of said upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 using linkage members 33 and hinge pins 34. Application of axial pushing force to drive rod 30 from handle member 5 causes said drive rod 30 to extend through the central bore of extension member 20, forcing hub member 32 in a direction away from handle member 5. With hub member 32 in this position, linkage members 33 pivot about hinge pins 34, in turn forcing said opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 generally toward each other or together, in a partially “closed” configuration (even though the outer ends of said opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 may not physically contact each other).

Conversely, application of axial pulling force to drive rod 30 from handle member 5 causes said drive rod 30 to extend through the central bore of extension member 20, forcing hub member 32 in a direction toward handle member 5. With hub member 32 in this position, linkage members 33 pivot about hinge pins 34, in turn forcing opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 generally away from each other, or spread apart, in a substantially “open” configuration.

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded view of extended stabbing assembly 10 of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, extended stabbing assembly 10 of the present invention comprises an elongate and substantially hollow extension member 20 defining a central through bore and having a first proximate end 21 and a second distal end 22. Drive rod 30 is slidably disposed within said central through bore of extension member 20. Yoke assembly 40 is disposed at first end 21 of said extension member 20.

Yoke assembly 40 generally comprises upper yoke member 41 and lower yoke member 42 oriented in spaced and substantially parallel relationship. Each of said yoke members 41 and 42 have central neck section 43 and curved extensions 45 defining substantially concave inner surface 44. Aligned apertures 46 are disposed near the outer or distal ends of said curved extensions 45, while aligned guide peg holes 47 extend through said upper and lower yoke members in the vicinity of concave inner surfaces 44. Said upper yoke member 41 and lower yoke member 42 can be operationally attached to each other (and extension member 20) using fasteners disposed through aligned receptacles 36.

Rod 30 is slidably disposed through hub stop 31, while hub member 32 is disposed at the distal end 31 of drive rod 30. Upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 are pivotally attached to yoke assembly 40 using pivot pins extending through aligned apertures 46 extending through said upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71. In a preferred embodiment, upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 each have a curved or arcuate shape and are disposed in generally opposing relationship. Aligned guide peg holes 72 extend through said upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71.

Hub member 32 is disposed at distal end 31 of drive rod 30. Linkage members 33 are pivotally attached to said hub member 32, as well as upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71. A plurality of guide members 50 are operationally attached to extended stabbing assembly 10; in a preferred embodiment, one guide member 50 is attached to the upper surface of a first set of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71, a second (opposing) set of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71, and yoke assembly 40.

Each of said guide members 50 generally comprise a base member 51 defining a lower contact surface 55. A plurality of substantially planar rib support members 53, oriented substantially parallel to each other, extending upward from said base member 51. Substantially flat tapered inner surface 54 is disposed along the inner portion of rib support members 53. A plurality of spaced apart peg members 56 extend downwardly from said base member 51.

As depicted in FIG. 7, guide members 50 can be removably installed on extended stabbing assembly 10. When so installed, peg members 56 of one guide member 50 can be received within aligned guide peg holes 72 of a first set of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71, aligned guide peg holes 72 of a second (opposing) set of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71, and aligned guide peg holes 47 of upper yoke member 41 and lower yoke member 42.

Application of axial pushing force to drive rod 30 from handle member 5 causes said drive rod 30 to extend through the central bore of extension member 20, forcing hub member 32 in a direction away from handle member 5. With hub member 32 in this position, linkage members 33 pivot about hinge pins 34, in turn forcing upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 (as well as attached guide members 50) generally toward each other or together, in a partially closed configuration (even though the outer ends of said upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 are physically contacting each other).

Conversely, application of axial pulling force to drive rod 30 from handle member 5 causes said drive rod 30 to extend through the central bore of extension member 20, forcing hub member 32 in a direction toward handle member 5. With hub member 32 in this position, linkage members 33 pivot about hinge pins 34, in turn forcing upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 generally away from each other, or spread apart, in a substantially “open” configuration. An optional spring can be used to bias said at least two arcuate members in a partially closed first position.

A plurality of upwardly facing guide members 50 extends from yoke assembly 40 and opposing sets of arcuate gripping members. In a preferred embodiment, said guide members 50 comprise a plurality of planar plate members disposed in substantially parallel orientation; when said arcuate gripping members are in a partially closed position, said tapered surfaces cooperate to form a funnel-like tapered structure having a larger diameter at its upper end and a smaller diameter at its lower end.

In operation, extended stabbing assembly 10 of the present invention can be used to provide a stabbing guide for the joining of pipe sections including, without limitation, threaded pipe sections. Referring to FIG. 1, worker 400 (such as a roughneck or other personnel stationed on rig floor 300 of a drilling rig) can lift extended stabbing assembly 10 and position its distal end near lower pipe section 200. Said worker 400 can operate said extended stabbing assembly 10 a safe distance away from lower pipe section 200 and upper pipe section 100, eliminating the risk of damage to body parts (including, without limitation, hands or feet) being pinched or contacted by such heavy pipe sections. In a preferred embodiment, extended stabbing assembly 10 (and particularly elongate extension member 20 and drive rod 30) can be in the range of 4 to 10 feet in length; however, it is to be observed that said dimensions can be adjusted small or larger to meet particular applications or situations.

Referring to FIG. 6, application of axial pulling force to drive rod 30 from handle member 5 causes said drive rod 30 to retract through the central bore of extension member 20, forcing hub member 32 in a direction toward handle member 5. With hub member 32 in this position, linkage members 33 pivot about hinge pins 34, in turn forcing opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 (as well as attached guide members 50, not depicted in FIG. 6) generally away from each other, or spread apart, in a substantially “open” configuration. Referring back to FIG. 1, with said opposing gripping arms spread apart, worker 400 can easily position the distal end of extended stabbing assembly 10 in proximity to the upper threaded connection of lower pipe section 200.

Referring to FIG. 5, axial pushing force can be applied to drive rod 30 from handle member 5, causing said drive rod 30 to extend through the central bore of extension member 20, forcing hub member 32 in a direction away from handle member 5. With hub member 32 in this position, linkage members 33 pivot about hinge pins 34, in turn forcing opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 (as well as attached guide members 50, not depicted in FIG. 5) generally toward each other or together, in a partially closed configuration (even though the outer ends of said opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 are not physically contacting each other). Referring back to FIG. 1, in this manner worker 400 can constrict extended stabbing assembly 10 around lower pipe section 200, and maintain said extended stabbing assembly 10 in place during the pipe stabbing process.

Referring to FIG. 2, in this partially closed configuration, opposing guide members 50 substantially surround the upper opening of box end connection 201 of lower pipe section 200. Upper pipe section 100 is lowered (using a rig's top drive unit or other hoisting mechanism) until threaded connection member 101 is “stabbed into” threaded connection 201 of lower pipe section 200. Tapered inner surfaces 54 and lower contact surfaces 55 of guide members 50 cooperate to form a funnel-like guide to carefully and accurately direct pin end connection 101 into the upper surface of box end connection 200. Said cooperating guide members 50 help to align connection members 101 and 201 to prevent thread galling, mis-threading or other damage when screwing said threaded connection members together, while preventing said upper pipe section 100 from colliding with or violently contacting lower pipe section 200. After said pin end connection 101 is stabbed into lower box end connection 201, torque can be applied to upper pipe section 100 to join said mating threaded pipe connections.

Referring back to FIG. 6, application of axial pulling force to drive rod 30 from handle member 5 causes said drive rod 30 to retract through the central bore of extension member 20, forcing hub member 32 in a direction toward handle member 5. With hub member 32 in this position, linkage members 33 pivot about hinge pins 34, in turn forcing opposing sets of upper gripping arm 70 and lower gripping arm 71 (as well as attached guide members 50, not depicted in FIG. 6) generally away from each other, or spread apart, in a substantially “open” configuration. Referring back to FIG. 1, with said opposing gripping arms spread apart, worker 400 can easily remove extended stabbing assembly 10 from stabbed upper pipe section 100 and lower pipe section 200. The process can then be repeated during the pipe installation process.

Because opposing gripping members of present invention do not fully close, the risk of pinching to hands or other extremities is eliminated. Extended stabbing assembly 100 can be adjusted to fit multiple different pipe sizes having different diameters and connection sizes. Tapered guide members 50, as well as upper and lower gripping members 70 and 71 can be quickly and easily removed and replaced to match different size pipe or connections.

The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. An extended pipe stabbing assembly comprising: a) an elongate extension member having a distal end and a proximate end; b) a pair of opposing gripping members pivotally disposed at said distal end, wherein said opposing gripping members are adapted to selectively shift between a first substantially spread apart position and a second partially closed position; and c) a plurality of tapered guide members attached to said opposing gripping members or said elongate extension member.
 2. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the length of said elongate extension member is in the range from 4 to 10 feet.
 3. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of opposing gripping members has an arcuate shape.
 4. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tapered guide members are removably attached to said opposing gripping members or said elongate extension member.
 5. An extended pipe stabbing assembly comprising: a) an elongate tubular member having a proximate end, a distal end and a central through bore extending from said proximate end to said distal end; b) a drive rod slidably disposed within said central bore of said elongate tubular member, wherein said drive rod extends substantially along the entire length of said elongate tubular member; c) a yoke member disposed at said distal end of said elongate tubular member; d) a pair of opposing gripping members pivotally connected to said yoke member, wherein said opposing gripping members are adapted to selectively shift between a first substantially spread apart position and a second partially closed position; and e) a plurality of tapered guide members connected to said opposing gripping members and said yoke member.
 6. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 5, wherein said pair of opposing gripping members shift between said first and second positions in response to axial movement of said drive rod.
 7. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 1, wherein the length of said elongate tubular member is in the range from 4 to 10 feet.
 8. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 5, wherein each of said pair of opposing gripping members has an arcuate shape.
 9. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 5, wherein said plurality of tapered guide members are removably attached to said opposing gripping members or said elongate extension member.
 10. The extended pipe stabbing assembly of claim 5, wherein said pair of opposing gripping members and yoke members cooperate to form a substantially circular shape when said opposing gripping members are in 